“Jizerská was a special ski race. When I tested the conditions, I noticed there was a poor condition for the poles. I was prepared for a tough ski race,” says Amund Riege to Langrenn.com the day after his first career podium in the Ski Classics Pro Tour.

After almost all top ten finishes this season, it was no surprise that the 22-year-old was again making a mark in skiing.

Nevertheless, Riege believes it was a coincidence that his podium came at Jizerská50:

“The result was probably unplanned. When Kasper (Stadaas) got a gap, the main group quickly tried to bring him back. I managed to get the back of Andreas Nygaard at the end and knew it was good at Jizerská. That may have been decisive for me to get into third place,” says the Team Ramudden skier.

Changing Goals

Before the season, Riege says that the goal was to fight to top positions in selected events. At the same time, fighting for the Pink Youth bib was a realistic goal for the 22-year-old who had his first full season in Ski Classics last year.

After Jizerská50, Riege leads the pink jersey. Team Ramudden has performed so well that he is currently in second place overall at the Yellow Champion bib competition. Only the extraordinary Emil Persson has performed better.

“It’s cool that there is such a high level in the battle for the pink bib as well. We see that we have to be at the top and fight.”

Amund also gives much of the credit to his teammate and runner-up in the youth overall, Herman Paus.

“It has been even between Herman and me, but we have had a good margin over the others. We try to help each other, and I think that helps a lot.”

How do you help each other?

“We have some different characteristics. He is strong on the hills, while I have a good finish. There can be a bit of rivalry when we are so even and are on the same team, but we try to help each other in skiing.”

Decisive

Before this year’s season, Riege joined the Swedish long-distance team, Team Ramudden. After that, most things have only gone one way for the 22-year-old.

“The team gives us the best conditions to perform. We have good skis every time. It is absolutely essential for performance. Team Ramudden is an extremely strong team with a lot of experience and expertise. I think that is an important reason why I have taken a step up.”

Team Ramudden is now leading the Pro Team competition. Riege believes that much of the reason for that is related to the team’s mentor and former long-distance skier, Lina Korsgren.

“She has won many races and knows what it takes to perform. It is very good to have someone to ask for tips.”

But even though Riege’s career has skyrocketed, he is prepared for the fact that results are rarely linear. There will be ups and downs.

“I have gotten older and taken new steps due to more training and more specific training. It’s hard to pinpoint one reason for the progress, but I’ve managed to stay healthy. I think that is important,” Amund says.

Furthermore, Riege says that this season he will end up with about 900 training hours.

The Dream of Vasaloppet

There is no doubt for Riege about his biggest goal for the season, Vasaloppet.

“I think Vasaloppet is the big thing for everyone. I will try to have a good day there.”

But first, there are two competitions in Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, this upcoming weekend.

“Until the weekend, the big goal was to end up on the podium. Once I’ve managed that, the next goal is naturally a victory. I always go for a win, but there is a lot that can happen, says Riege and continues:

“Although Vasaloppet is the big one, there are many points to be awarded in Orsa. I plan to train more in the run-up to Vasaloppet, but I don’t want to lose my good form in the run-up to the races in Orsa.”

Next up is Grönklitt Criterium and Grönklitt ITT on Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19. The events mark the ninth and tenth Ski Classics stages of Season XIV.

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.